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Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade hosted their first ever NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference on Tuesday last, 30 November at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry. Over 100 delegates heard from a range of expert speakers from organisations who can help businesses implement effective health and wellbeing strategies.
The event was supported by principal sponsors Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Action Mental Health. It was open to organisations of any size from across NI, not just the Greater Newry area.
Emma Mullen, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade said: “Businesses and their employees have experienced an extremely challenging last 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This has had a negative effect on the physical and mental health of many of our citizens. We felt now was the right time to help local employers to come together, share best practice and help support them”.
We are extremely grateful to all the organisations who took part in the event. Initial feedback has been extremely positive. Keynote addresses from Nicola Connolly-Byrne, Personal Empowerment Specialist and John Ryan, Founder & CEO Healthy Place to Work were particular highlights.
Delegates also heard from Cllr Cathy Mason, Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, a video message from Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA, Gerard Rocks, Assistant Director for Promoting Wellbeing at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and David Babington, CEO Action Mental Health who helped set the set the scene.
Presentations on workplace programmes were delivered by Rachael Power, Works Manager, Action Mental Health, Emma McCrudden, Programme Manager, NI Chest Heart and Stroke (Work Well Live Well) and Margaret McCloskey, Partnership Manager, NI Money & Pensions Service (MaPS).
Other exhibitors included Occupational Therapy NI, Menopause Wellbeing NI and Federation of Small Businesses. Kith & Kin Financial Wellbeing sponsored refreshments.
Cathy Mason, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said: “We were delighted to support Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade with this important initiative. As a council, one of our key objectives is to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people who live and work in this region. It is important that we work across all three sectors, public, voluntary and private, to share what works best to support employees.
Presentation slides and videos of the conference can found on the events section at: WWW.NEWRYCHAMBER.COM
